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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider MMDA boss Abalos once again tries to sway Pinoys to get the jab

MMDA boss Abalos once again tries to sway Pinoys to get the jab

Published Feb 15, 2021 04:24 pm

Think of your family, not just yourself.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos gave this message Monday, Feb. 15 to Filipinos who continue to refuse vaccination from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

(JANSEN ROMERO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

"Gumastos ang gobyerno natin sa bakuna. Halos lahat ng cities at municipalities gumastos ng pera para dito. Please lang, magtulungan po tayo, magpabakuna po tayo dito (Our government spent a lot for the vaccines. Almost all cities and municipalities did. So please, let's cooperate with each other, let's have ourselves vaccinated)," Abalos said during a press conference.

"Huwag niyong isipin mga sarili niyo, isipin niyo anak mo, pamilya niyo. Sayang po ang pera, panahon, preparasyon, everything. In fact pinag-aagawan po ang bakunang ito (Don't think about yourselves, think about your children, your family. Everything--the money, time, and preparation will have been wasted. In fact, countries are scrambling for this vaccine)," he explained.

The MMDA chief's impassioned remarks were his reaction to the results of a Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) survey, which revealed that up to 70 percent of Metro Manila residents were unwilling to get the anti-COVID jab.

This, despite the imminent arrival of the Philippines's supply of the vaccines this week.

Abalos underscored that the foreigner-made vaccines went through the hands of medical experts, and that presidents such as Joe Biden of the United States and Joko Widodo of Indonesia have already subjected themselves to inoculation.

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